Misuse of Alprazolam as ‘kutta goli’ among the youth and school children in the Malegaon city of India

Abstract

The drug Alprazolam was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2003 to treat panic disorder and anxiety. Approval was granted to Upjohn UK Limited, a pharma company. Due to its euphoria, mania, drowsiness, and amnesia effects, it has the most misuse liability and addiction property. According to a Times of India report, the illegal sale of Alprazolam tablets continues in the textile town of Malegaon, Nashik District, Maharashtra, India. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration booked 23 people and recovered Alprazolam tablets close to 90,000 INR. The Alprazolam tablet is a scheduled drug and is supposed to be sold only on the prescription of doctors however it is sold illegally in Malegaon city by the code names like ‘kutta goli’. In this paper, we have reviewed the Alprazolam indications, pharmacological property, misuse liability, special warnings and precautions for use, and steps to avoid misuse.